Rosemarkie, Church Place, Rosemarkie Parish Church, Sculptured Stone
Carved Stone (Early Medieval)
Site Name Rosemarkie, Church Place, Rosemarkie Parish Church, Sculptured Stone
Classification Carved Stone (Early Medieval)
Alternative Name(s) Rosemarkie Churchyard, No. 2
Canmore ID 14394
Site Number NH75NW 7.02
NGR NH 7372 5763
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/14394
- Council Highland
- Parish Rosemarkie
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Ross And Cromarty
- Former County Ross And Cromarty
Rosemarkie 2, Ross & Cromarty, church furniture, panel fragments
Measurements: L 1.62m, H 0.53m-0.57m, D 0.05m
Stone type: grey sandstone
Place of discovery: NH 7372 5763
Present location: Groam House Museum, Rosemarkie (ROMGH.1992.3.2)
Evidence for discovery: found in the churchyard in re-use as a recumbent slab over a post-Reformation grave, placed with the carved face downwards. It was first recorded around 1850 by Stuart. Allen’s measurements refer to the larger fragment, although his illustration shows both fragments as if complete and he describes the entire panel.
Present condition: broken into two fragments but the carving is in good condition, despite some wear.
Description
Three edges of this slab are dressed into a rectangle, but the fourth and lower edge has been left undressed. One broad face is carved in low relief, leaving a wide uncarved area at the base. The ornament is divided into three equal panels above a continuous basal border of key pattern. The central panel is filled with a spiraliform version of diagonal key pattern, while the panels on either side are filled with diagonal key pattern interspersed with pellets.
Date: eighth or ninth century.
References: Stuart 1856, pl 108; ECMS pt 3, 85-6; Henderson 1990, [18]; Henderson & Henderson 2004, 206-7; Seright & Henderson 2013, 9.
Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2017.
NH75NW 7.02 7372 5763.
No. 2. A Class 3 sculptured stone, in at least four fragments, bears a key pattern on one face. It measured 3ft 4 1/2ins x 1ft 9 1/2ins x 2ins thick. It lay for many years on the grave of Donald Bain, but is now in the tool-shed of the church.
J R Allen and J Anderson 1903; RCAHMS 1979.
Field Visit (June 1979)
Rosemarkie, Carved Stones NH c. 737 576 NH75NW 7
The discovery of numerous 'Pictish' carved stones in the vicinity of Rosemarkie church indicates that this site was one of considerable importance during Early Christian times. Of the nine items described below (1) is in Groam House, High Street, Rosemarkie; (2) and (6)-(8) are in the tool-shed at Rosemarkie church; (3)-(5) are in the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland; and (9) is in Inverness Museum.
(2) At least four fragments remain of this· Class III 'Pictish' symbol stone; it bears key-pattern decoration on one face.
RCAHMS 1979, visited June 1979
Allen and Anderson 1903, iii, 63-8, 85-8; Macdonald and Laing 1970, 137; Henderson
1971, 50-2
